# 1861 Iowa gubernatorial election

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The 1861 Iowa gubernatorial election was held on 8 October 1861 in order to elect the governor of Iowa. Incumbent Republican governor Samuel J. Kirkwood was re-elected against Democratic nominee William H. Merritt and several other candidates.

## General election

On election day, 8 October 1861, incumbent Republican governor Samuel J. Kirkwood won re-election by a margin of 17,058 votes against his foremost opponent Democratic nominee William H. Merritt, thereby holding Republican control over the office of governor. Kirkwood was sworn in for his second term on 3 January 1862.

### Results

Iowa gubernatorial election, 1861 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Samuel J. Kirkwood | 60,303 | 55.48 |
| | Democratic | William H. Merritt | 43,245 | 39.78 |
| | Democratic | Ben M. Samuels | 4,495 | 4.14 |
| | Democratic | Henry Clay Dean | 440 | 0.41 |
| | Democratic | Charles Mason | 142 | 0.13 |
| | Democratic | Lincoln Clark | 50 | 0.05 |
| | | Scattering | 25 | 0.02 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 108,700 | 100.00 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |